Public Spaces Recycling
Pilot Program
Richmond is the first municipality in BC to introduce a public spaces recycling initiative that the City has branded "Go Recycle." Public spaces recycling captures the “last mile” of recyclables – items typically captured through the Return It™ deposit-refund recycling program as well as municipal curbside recycling programs – but abandoned by consumers in park spaces, recreational facilities like arenas, street-scapes, transit stops, bars and restaurants, elementary and secondary schools, convenience stores and gas stations.
This ground-breaking environmental initiative was launched by the Canadian Beverage Association, Encorp Pacific (Canada), Nestle Waters Canada and the City of Richmond.
Program Goals:
- Measure and improve public spaces recycling performance.
- Create an effective and attractive public spaces recycling system for beverage containers.
- Create enhanced opportunities for the public to manage their beverage containers to reduce the amount of litter.
- Increase public awareness of the opportunities and convenience of recycling in public areas.
- Assess the impact of the public spaces recycling program on the existing deposit/refund system for beverage containers.
The Go Recycle! pilot program is intended to help make recycling available to residents and visitors in a way that mirrors the current blue box and blue cart recycling programs residents have made so successful through their active participation.
The pilot is three months in duration - from August to October 2011 - and is taking place in four locations: the Steveston main business district area and waterfront, Steveston Community Centre, Garry Point Park and Hugh Boyd Sports Field.
A waste assessment conducted before and after implementation will measure the effectiveness of the program. Results and recommendations will be shared by Nestle Waters Canada and other industry partners to help promote the public spaces recycling initiative in other locations.
Nestle Waters Canada, along with Encorp Pacific (Canada) and the Canadian Beverage Association are funding various aspects of the pilot program, including the containers, signage elements and program measurement.
New Recycling and Garbage Receptacles
In total, 81 new garbage and recycling receptacles are strategically placed at targeted locations, with new signage for identification and education.
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| Locations: Garry Point Park, Steveston main business district and waterfront (Imperial Landing) Quantity: 70 |
Location: Steveston Community Centre Quantity: 3 |
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| Location: Hugh Boyd Sports Field Quantity: 4 |
Locations: Garry Point Park and Imperial Landing Quantity: 4 |
Information and Resources
